My name is Serge and I’m a french collector of vintage watches. I will introduce to you the Breitling Navitimer 81600.

A bit of history to start 

The name Navitimer is a contraction of navigation + timer.
The first Navitimer was born in 1952, and was especially designed to be a real pilot instrument thanks to its integrated rotating calculator bezel which can make many different calculations.
The big crown and pushers allowed it to be manipulated with gloves
The first ref called 806 was powered by a Venus 178 caliber.

Reborn

The reference 81600 arrived in 1986. It is the first Navitimer produced by Breitling after the quartz crisis. So this reference represents the rebirth of the Breitling Navitimer.

Manufactured for only 2 years in 1986 and 1987, this Breitling Navitimer 81600 is powered by a Lemania 1873 caliber which is the same caliber as the famous Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 861 movement. Made in only 2000 pieces, this is a rather rare model. It was produced in a gold plated stainless steel case and also in a 24 hour version which is the rarest.

Diameter 41.5mm
Thickness 11.5mm
Width between the lugs 22mm
Mineral glass

I bought my first 81600 in 2013 on a French ads site, it was the 24 hour model known as the Cosmonaute in its rare gold-plated version. After a complete overhaul: servicing, change of seals and pushers, I was able to wear it. It was my first Breitling and I fell in love with it. 5 years later I bought my second 81600 on Chrono24. This time it was the 12 hour version in a stainless steel case. Inspired by the famous Serge Gainsbourg, I decided to wear it on a stainless steel racing bracelet, but you can also wear it on leather, canvas or nato, everything fits it.
The Breitling Navitimer 81600 is an iconic watch, and a must have in any collection.